Reproducible purification of archive-quality DNA

Purity of DNA has a significant effect on the accuracy of results obtained in downstream applications. Sensitive downstream applications, such as PCR, demand the use of DNA of the highest quality and molecular weight for reliable results. The Gentra Puregene Buccal Cell Kit removes contaminants and enzyme inhibitors enabling purification of highly stable DNA well-suited for archiving. Purified DNA is of high quality demonstrated by molecular weights of 100–200 kb (see figure "Reproducible purification of archive-quality DNA").

Principle

Cells are lysed with an anionic detergent in the presence of a DNA stabilizer. The DNA stabilizer limits the activity of intracellular DNases and also DNases found elsewhere in the environment. RNA is then removed by treatment with an RNA digesting enzyme. Other contaminants, such as proteins, are removed by salt precipitation. Finally, the genomic DNA is recovered by precipitation with alcohol and dissolved in hydration solution (1 mM EDTA, 10 mM Tris·Cl pH 7.5). Purified DNA typically has an A260/A280 ratio between 1.7 and 1.9, and is up to 200 kb in size. The DNA can be safely stored at 2–8°C, –20°C, or –80°C.